Cooperative efforts pay off

While the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is still finalizing data for the fall Chinook salmon run in the Shasta River, the preliminary numbers to date – a historic 29,489 Chinook – show that efforts to save salmon through partnerships between agriculture and conservation groups are making a difference.

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Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

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Posted Jan. 18, 2013 at 9:52 AM
Updated Jan 18, 2013 at 10:08 AM

Posted Jan. 18, 2013 at 9:52 AM
Updated Jan 18, 2013 at 10:08 AM

Shasta Valley

While the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is still finalizing data for the fall Chinook salmon run in the Shasta River, the preliminary numbers to date – a historic 29,489 Chinook – show that efforts to save salmon through partnerships between agriculture and conservation groups are making a difference.

A recent CDFW press release said, “Over a half dozen key landowners and irrigators with water rights recognized the threat and decided to reduce diversions from the Shasta River to increase flow in the river. This helped move salmon through the system and reduce the vulnerability to disease outbreaks that are a threat when fish are highly concentrated.”

CDFW Regional Manager Neil Manji said, “Irrigation districts and individual landowners stepped up and contributed water to reduce disease risks to returning salmon,” adding, “The in creased flow helped cool the river water and avert disease and a potential salmon kill.”

At one point the additional flow releases increased the river flow by 44 cubic feet per second, more than doubling the flow.

“The additional water flows provided by the agricultural community directly benefited close to 60 percent of the total run of 2012 fall Chinook in the Shasta River,” said Amy Campbell, project associate for The Nature Conservancy.

Early Efforts

For over 20 years landowners, the SVRCD, Natural Resources Conservation Service, CDFW, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, US Fish and Wildlife Service, CalTrout and other groups have been working to improve fish habitat in the Shasta River. Even before the listing of coho salmon as threatened in 2004, extensive fencing projects had been implemented to keep livestock out of the streams, as well as screening of water diversions to keep fish out of fields and ditches, and tree planting on newly protected riparian areas helped stabilize stream banks and create shade.

As time passed, the low hanging fruit was picked, and restoration projects got more advanced. Old flashboard irrigation diversion dams were removed and replaced with fish-friendly diversions that allow for fish passage all year long. The SVRCD has an ongoing program to work with landowners on irrigation management and to reduce excess irrigation tail water from returning to the river.

“Working with the agricultural community to identify solutions that not only make them whole but protect, improve, or enhance instream habitat is one of our goals,” said Adriane Garyalde, district administrator for the SVRCD.

In addition, groups such as The Nature Conservancy have worked with these partners to enhance salmon habitat, and more specifically, purchased two ranches on the Shasta River several years ago to demonstrate how working cattle ranches can support and enhance healthy salmon habitat.

Work Pays Off

Page 2 of 2 - 2008 and 2009 saw a notable increase in fall Chinook spawners returning to the Shasta River. Since then, restoration efforts have continued and the river is showing additional improvements from the ongoing efforts.

In 2012, early estimates of Klamath River fall Chinook returns indicated it would be a near-record year for the river and its tributaries. In response to this expectation, state and federal agencies, landowners, irrigation districts, conservation groups and others met to make sure these fish, upon arrival to the Shasta River, would have the water they needed to remain healthy.

“Salmon have enjoyed good ocean conditions, little disease and reduced fishing pressure, all adding up to a great return of spawners,” said Wade Sinnen with CDFW. “These conditions, combined with 20 years of on-the-ground habitat work meant a lot of fish were returning to the Shasta River to spawn.”

Landowners and the irrigation districts volunteered to provide water for the needed flows. “We are proud we helped add water to the river for the fall Chinook run,” said Rick Lemos, board member of the Shasta River Water Association. “Industry isn’t often seen as a key contributor to protecting our natural resources but we felt strongly about doing our part.”

The largest irrigation district in the Shasta River watershed, Montague Water Conservation District (MWCD), also voluntarily agreed to continue releasing additional water even after downstream water quotas were met. “As the owner of the only significant water storage facility in the Shasta River watershed, our facilities are one of the few resources available to aid in flow releases during instances like this fall’s extended heat wave and record run of fall Chinook salmon,” said Stan Sears MWCD president. “Among other actions, we’ve provided flows during the spring and fall for many years. We are pleased to see the benefits of our efforts and will continue to be pro-active.”

“We’re happy to have been part of the concerted effort to aid this year’s fall Chinook salmon run on the Shasta River,” said Paul Willis, president of the Grenada Irrigation District. “In the past several years, we have been pro-active and have monitored the river ourselves and ceased pumping at times when doing so would negatively impact river flow.”

“The key point in all of this is that the agricultural community is doing what it reasonably and feasibly can, but even that effort requires a complex combination of favorable natural conditions for a successful outcome. With so much of the outcome left to chance, cooperation and incentive are the only ways to optimize success,” said Ric Costales Siskiyou County natural resource policy specialist.